Tag Archives: Baltite Fort in pakistan

Baltite FortorBalti Fortis an ancient fort in theHunza valleyinGilgit-Baltistan,Pakistan. Founded in the 1st CE, since 2004, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list.

In the past, the survival of the feudal regime ofHunzawas ensured by the impressiveBaltit fort, which overlooksKarimabad. The foundations of the fort date back to 700 years ago, with rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the local prince married a princess fromBaltistanwho brought masterBalticraftsmen to renovate the building as part of herdowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of buddhistTibetaninfluence in Baltistan at the time.

TheMirs of Hunzaabandoned the fort in 1945, and moved to a new palace down the hill. The fort started to decay which caused concern that it might possibly fall into ruin. Following a survey by theRoyal Geographical Societyof London a restoration programme was initiated and supported by theAga Khan Trust for CultureHistoric Cities Support Programme. The programme was completed in 1996 and the fort is now a museum run by the Baltit Heritage Trust.

Historical background

In the past several small independent states formed part of the history of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Among them Hunza and Nager were traditional rival states, situated on opposite sides of the Hunza (Kanjut) river. The rulers of these two states,Mirsknown asThum(also Tham, Thom or Thámo), built various strongholds to consolidate their power. According to historical sources,[2]the Hunza rulers initially resided in nearbyAltit Fort, but after a conflict between the two sons of the ruler Sultan, Shah Abbas (Shάboos) and Ali Khan (Aliqhάn), Shaboos moved to Baltit Fort, making it the capital seat of Hunza. The power struggle between the two brothers eventually resulted in the death of younger one, and so Baltit Fort became the prime seat of power in the Hunza state.

Ayasho II, Thum/Mir of Hunza in the early 15th fifteenth century married Princess Shah Khatoon (Sha Qhatun) fromBaltistan(inMoghulhistory Baltistan is called Tibet Khurd, which means Little Tibet), and was the first to modify the face of Altit and, subsequently Baltit Fort. Baltistan had a very strong cultural and ethnical relation with theLadakhterritory to the east. Not surprisingly, the structure of Baltit Fort was influenced by Ladakhi/Tibetan architecture, with some resemblance to thePotala PalaceinLhasa. Then additions, renovations and changes to the building were being made through the centuries by a long line of following rulers of Hunza.

Home of many ancient forts, the Northern Areas of Pakistan lost some of its heritage around the 19th century as a result of attacks by theMaharajaofKashmir. However, one of the biggest changes in the structure of the Baltit Fort came with theinvasion of the Britishin December 1891.Safdarali Khan, ruler of Hunza and his wazir Dadu (Thara Baig III), fled to befriendedKashgar(China) to seek ‘political asylum’ with their fellows and families. With the conquest of Hunza and Nager states the fortified wall and watch towers of the old Baltit village and watch towers of the Baltit Fort on its north-western end were demolished as required by the British. They installed his younger brother, Sir Muhammad Nazim Khan K.C.I.E, as the ruler of Hunza state in September 1892.

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